In this July 29, 2013, file photo, U.S. Sens. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., right, and Rand Paul, R-Ky., speak to reporters at a charter school in Nashville, Tenn. Alexander on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013, drew a primary challenge from state Rep. Joe Carr. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig, file)

Written by

Paul C. Barton
| Tennessean Washington Bureau

Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander, who makes no secret of his disdain for some of the legislative tactics of the GOP's tea party wing, finds himself disliked by groups that aggressively fund tea party candidates.

But while they hold unfavorable views of the two-term Tennessee incumbent, organizations that strongly supported tea party candidates such as Republican Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Ted Cruz of Texas in recent elections have yet to decide whether to help state Rep. Joe Carr of Lascassas. Carr is Alexander's only announced opponent in the 2014 Republican primary.